The Last Leaf of Devotion

As Ansel took in the wreckage around him, his expression darkened instantly. His eyes burned with fury as he shouted, "Odessa! What the heck are you doing? When is this going to stop?

"These were the things we promised to cherish for the rest of our lives. Why would you destroy them like this?"

Odessa lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "When love turns ugly, holding on to the remnants only brings more pain. It's better to let it all go."

She swallowed hard, forcing back a sob. "Let's get a divorce."

"Odessa, how many times have you said that in the past two days?" Ansel snapped. "I rushed back the moment I saw your message. Can you stop overreacting?

"I've already told you—what I have with Sydney is just a fling. Why are you being so petty and jealous over her?"

Odessa shook her head. "It's not that I can't tolerate her... It's that she can't tolerate me."

Ansel's expression stiffened as he roughly pulled her to her feet. "Look, your entire family's gone. Without me, what do you have left?" he snapped.

His words sliced through Odessa like a knife.

After her parents' sudden death, all her relatives had turned on her like vultures. It was Ansel who had been her sole support.

From that moment, Odessa saw Ansel as her only family. He was like a piece of driftwood in a stormy sea, the only thing she could cling to in order to survive.

But now, she was already dead. Such threats no longer affected her.

Still, she never imagined Ansel could be so heartless.

More often than not, it was those closest to her who knew exactly where to cut the deepest.

"Why…" Odessa's voice quivered, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Ansel froze, suddenly realizing how cruel his words had been.

He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, his tone softening. "I'm sorry, Odessa. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Odessa pushed him away, pain flickering in her eyes. "Why did you stop loving me all of a sudden?"

Ansel pulled her back into his arms, pressing gentle kisses to her tears. "Don't be absurd. I never stopped loving you."

"Then let's get divorced." Odessa's voice was faint, yet the words struck like a blade.

Ansel's restraint shattered. Overwhelmed by rage, he shoved her against the wall. "Why, Odessa? Why are you so determined to divorce me?"

"Because I'm already dead, and my final wish is to divorce you. I want to sever every last thread between us.

"After you left that night, I was dragged into an alley by a thug…"

Odessa began to tell him everything, but the moment she mentioned returning from the dead for seven days, Ansel's patience snapped.

"Odessa, you're 27 years old, for heaven's sake! I'm not an idiot. Can you please stop with these ridiculous stories?

"If you really can't stand Sydney, then just go abroad for a while!"

With those dismissive words, he turned to leave.

"So you'd rather ship me off than end things with her?"

Ansel's steps faltered, but he didn't turn around.

"Think whatever you want!" he snapped. "Once I'm done fooling around with her, I'll come back home."

Odessa slumped to the floor, shaking her head in despair. She knew she wouldn't live long enough to see that day.

From that point on, a cold war began between her and Ansel.

With just five days remaining, her anxiety grew heavier by the hour.

She eventually decided to message Ansel. After a long wait, his reply finally came. "I won't be home for the next few days. Just try to calm down. Once you're feeling better, we can talk."

Odessa's hands trembled as she read his cold, distant words.

While suppressing her emotions, she got into her car and drove straight to Halberg Group. But the moment she stepped into the lobby, she was stopped.

"I need to see Ansel!" she insisted.

The new receptionist answered politely, "I'm sorry, miss. It's currently lunch break, and Mr. Halberg isn't seeing visitors right now. If you'd like to meet him, please schedule an appointment."

"I'm his wife."

The receptionist blinked in surprise. After a brief pause, she shook her head. "Ms. Wainwright has made it clear that no one is allowed to disturb her and Mr. Halberg—not even you."

A bitter laugh slipped from Odessa's lips. It had been ages since she last stepped into the office. She never expected things to have changed so drastically.

"Odessa!"

Just then, Sydney walked over, dressed in a vibrant dress that made her glow. In her hand, she carried the season's latest designer handbag.